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Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) Lowered to "Sell" Rating by Wall Street Zen

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Key Points

  • Wall Street Zen downgraded Walker & Dunlop from “hold” to “sell,” although other analysts remain more positive. The stock carries a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $77.20.
  • Walker & Dunlop reported quarterly EPS of $1.19, beating estimates of $0.90, but revenue of $306.69 million missed expectations and declined 3.9% year over year.
  • Shares opened at $44.43, near their 52-week low of $41.38 and below both their 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Institutional investors own approximately 80.97% of the company.
  • MarketBeat previews top five stocks to own in September.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a note issued to investors on Saturday.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on Walker & Dunlop from $63.00 to $57.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Stephens started coverage on Walker & Dunlop in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. They set an "overweight" rating and a $69.00 price target for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Walker & Dunlop from a "sell (d+)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Walker & Dunlop currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $77.20.

Get Our Latest Report on Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop Stock Performance

Walker & Dunlop stock opened at $44.43 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $50.77 and a 200 day simple moving average of $52.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.67 and a beta of 1.49. Walker & Dunlop has a 52 week low of $41.38 and a 52 week high of $90.00.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.29. Walker & Dunlop had a return on equity of 7.25% and a net margin of 2.94%.The firm had revenue of $306.69 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $337.37 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.15 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Walker & Dunlop

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of Walker & Dunlop during the second quarter worth approximately $289,614,000. State Street Corp boosted its stake in Walker & Dunlop by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,496,711 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $90,027,000 after purchasing an additional 37,828 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,369,114 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $60,760,000 after buying an additional 104,008 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 10.4% in the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,198,071 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $100,183,000 after buying an additional 113,282 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. increased its position in Walker & Dunlop by 59.9% during the 4th quarter. Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. now owns 859,072 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $51,673,000 after buying an additional 321,734 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.97% of the company's stock.

Key Walker & Dunlop News

Here are the key news stories impacting Walker & Dunlop this week:

  • Positive Sentiment: Walker & Dunlop reported second-quarter earnings of $1.19 per share, well above the $0.90 analyst consensus and ahead of the $1.15 reported in the prior-year period. The earnings beat likely supports the stock by demonstrating better-than-expected profitability. Walker & Dunlop Q2 earnings report
  • Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.68 per share, payable September 3 to shareholders of record August 20. Based on the referenced share price, the annualized dividend yield is approximately 6.1%, which may appeal to income-focused investors.
  • Positive Sentiment: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods maintained an “outperform” rating and still sees substantial potential upside, with its revised $57 target remaining well above the current share price. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods price target update
  • Neutral Sentiment: Management’s second-quarter earnings call and presentation provided additional detail on results, market conditions, policy trends and leadership commentary, but the available reports do not identify a major new catalyst. Q2 2026 earnings call transcript
  • Negative Sentiment: Second-quarter revenue of $306.69 million missed the $337.37 million consensus estimate and declined 3.9% year over year. The revenue shortfall suggests continued pressure on business activity despite the strong earnings performance. Walker & Dunlop misses Q2 sales expectations
  • Negative Sentiment: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered its price target from $63 to $57, signaling more limited expectations even though the firm remains bullish overall.

Walker & Dunlop Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Walker & Dunlop is one of the largest providers of commercial real estate finance in the United States, specializing in the origination, servicing and sale of loans secured by multifamily, seniors housing, healthcare, student housing and manufactured housing properties. The firm offers a full suite of debt and equity solutions, including agency financing through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA-insured loans, bridge and construction financing, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, and investment sales advisory.

With roots dating back to 1937 and its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, Walker & Dunlop has expanded its platform through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

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This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

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